Project 21, a music composition student organization, will collaborate with the Ann Lacy School of Dance and Entertainment, combining original music pieces with choreography.
Dr. Edward Knight, music composition director, said he thinks the collaboration will be a great success for OCU.
“I’ve long admired what Jo Rowan and Dean Bedford have accomplished with their program,” Knight said. “I think the faculty and students are remarkable, and Project 21 is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the premier dance program in the United States.”
Clint Williams, music composition graduate, organized the event. Williams said this is not the first time Project 21 has combined students’ composition pieces with student choreography.
“This is our third attempt at making this event a mainstay,” he said. “This is us trying to rival other competitive conservatories, such as Julliard.”
The concert will feature composers Ryan Robinson, president of Project 21; Aaron Phillips, graduate assistant; Matthew Campbell, music composition/conducting graduate; and Adam LaPorte, music composition/music theater sophomore.
The choreographers are Matthew Alden, dance performance senior; Ashley Ellis, dance universal sophomore; Caroline Piper, dance management junior; and Louisa Holland, dance pedagogy junior.
Dancers are Briana Stone, dance universal sophomore; Ryan Weaver, dance performance senior; Britney Dugas, dance universal freshman; Barret Calahan, dance performance junior; Josh Jenkings, dance universal freshman; Grayson Anthony, dance universal freshman; Maddie Barnes, dance universal freshman; and Kate Frieden, dance universal freshman.
Williams said he wants to further collaboration with other schools on campus, including the School of Visual Arts.
“When you go to an art museum, the artist is never there to express the backstory of the piece,” Williams said. “With this concert, the artist is there to express their inspiration, and the composer is there to give their point of view on the piece.”
The concert will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. For more information or further concert dates, visit project21composers.com.
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